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hepar lobatum
Monday 15 June 2009
This term generally refers to liver abnormalities in tertiary syphilis. In some instances, chemotherapy for metastatic liver cancer (especially from the breast) can lead to similar changes.
The liver shows a lobulated contour with capsular indentations from which fibrous septa extend deep into the parenchyma.
The fibrous septa can surround the degenerated centre of tumour nodules and may contain macrophages and residual tumour.
Typical features of cirrhosis such as regenerative nodules are not observed.
These features probably result from tissue collapse due to chemotherapy-related tumour regression that is followed by an organising phase of healing and scar contraction.
References
Histological patterns in drug-induced liver disease. Ramachandran R, Kakar S. J Clin Pathol. 2009 Jun;62(6):481-92. PMID: 19474352